Author

Date of Award

11-2013

Degree Name

MS in Architecture - Architectural Engineering

Department

Architecture

Advisor

Craig Baltimore

Abstract

This thesis investigates the acceleration amplification experienced by solar towers mounted on the rooftops of low-rise industrial buildings during a seismic event. Specifically, this thesis looks to assess the validity of using amplification factors adopted by the ASCE 7-05Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures to approximate seismic acceleration amplification for roof-mounted solar towers. To investigate the validity of the ASCE 7-05 amplification factors, this thesis conducts timehistory analyses of three theoretical solar towers mounted on the roof of a case study building. The time history analyses are conducted in the finite element computer modeling program SAP 2000 using 30 historical ground motion records of varying frequency content. Based on the results of the time history analyses, modifications to the ASCE 7-05 provision specific to roof-mounted solar towers are proposed.